UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

ACAPULCO BAY has an excellent pedigree, ran a very promising race on debut over 7f here and has a host of big-race entries in the coming months. He was second to a once-raced stablemate on debut and while it took him a little while to initially quicken, he finished strongly and today's step up to a mile should suit. Genealogy was a 400,000gns yearling and is out of a Group-placed dam who is related to 1,000 Guineas winner Finsceal Beo, but jockey bookings suggest he is the second string of the selection's trainer. Of those with form, Emit showed promise at Leopardstown on debut but looks vulnerable to smart types, while Nakatomi was well beaten by an impressive winner at Dundalk recently.
Prediction : 1st Acapulco Bay 2nd Genealogy 3rd Emit

DREAMY takes a big step up from maiden company and meets more experienced rivals but showed smart ability on debut. Out of a Group 1 winner and a direct descendent from champion racemare Miesque, the selection overcame a wide draw to win over 7f on her debut and while that Goodwood form has yet to be properly tested, it is a traditionally strong race. Stablemate Garden Of Eden has a tougher task than when winning at Naas but remains of interest. Fiery Lucy finished second in the recent Ballyhane Stakes but takes a big step up in distance, while Lady O won easily at Galway but has more on her plate now.
Prediction : 1st Dreamy 2nd Garden Of Eden 3rd Fiery Lucy

RUDI'S APPLE has shown consistently smart form and drops down from Group 1 company. He ran well at Royal Ascot, was beaten by a subsequent Group winner in a July maiden at Fairyhouse and while outclassed in the Phoenix Stakes, that form is strong with the runner-up subsequently winning the Prix Morny. He is vulnerable to high-class types but is dependable. Ides Of March has also shown smart form and while a beaten favourite here in July, The Lion In Winter (winner) has significantly boosted that form subsequently. He showed plenty pace when scoring over this C&D three weeks ago but he steps up in grade here. When things go his way, Morning Vietnam is smart but he steps up in class and trip after winning at Cork.
Prediction : 1st Rudis Apple 2nd Ides Of March 3rd Morning Vietnam

It isn't ideal that HANALIA drops in distance but she met in-running trouble in the Irish Oaks last month and steps back in grade. She defeated a now 102-rated filly when landing her maiden before following up in Listed company in June and ran a fine race in the Oaks here, with that form boosted by the runner-up subsequently winning the Yorkshire Oaks. Also rated 104, Tarawa is ideally suited by conditions and this Listed winner looks sure to run well. Wingspan defeated a subsequent scorer when landing a Gowran Listed race but this is slightly stronger.
Prediction : 1st Hanalia 2nd Tarawa 3rd Wingspan

Top-weight GIRL LIKE YOU should be able to follow up her recent win at this track. Although only getting up late to go in by half a length on that occasion, the Joseph O'Brien-trained filly looked to have a bit in hand. Stepping up an additional furlong now should also enable her to improve sufficiently to overcome an 8lb rise. Nyman, who finished fifth in that aforementioned contest, is entitled to get much closer at the revised weights. The Earthlight colt had run well over 7f on his previous start, so is another who should appreciate the longer trip. Sweet Chariot has to be respected off a mark of 74, with blinkers fitted for the first time. Headgear can often bring about significant improvement in some of the stable lesser lights.
Prediction : 1st Girl Like You 2nd Nyman 3rd Sweet Chariot

Having potentially had a number of options in this race, it is surely significant that Colin Keane has remained loyal to STATE ACTOR. The Bill Farrell-trained gelding won his maiden over C&D in May, before following up on his handicap debut a month later. Somewhat unlucky in running when only fourth here on his latest start, the four-year-old remains open to further improvement. Blues Emperor is 5lb lower than when just touched off in this race last year. With Wesley Joyce once again in the saddle, the Johnny Murtagh-trained gelding has leading claims of going one better. No More Porter, who seldom runs a bad race at this track, is another with a live chance from the foot of the weights.
Prediction : 1st State Actor 2nd Blues Emperor 3rd No More Porter

Stepping back up to 6f could help the Paul Flynn-trained RAPPELL regain the winning thread. Twice successful over this distance, the three-year-old stayed on strongly close home last time when third over 5f at Cork. With more of an emphasis on stamina now, the Soldier's Call gelding should be in his element. Well drawn close to the favoured stands rail, he has much to recommend him. Just touched off over C&D recently, Secret Magician holds every chance of going one better. Wayne Hassett, who is leading the apprentice title race, is a definite plus in a race of this nature. Goldmoyne, who made most when winning over 7f here last time, shouldn't be too inconvenienced by dropping back a furlong. He, too, has to be a leading contender in an open affair.
Prediction : 1st Rappell 2nd Secret Magician 3rd Goldmoyne

Off a mark that puts him 10lb clear on official ratings, PHOENIX COWBOY should prove hard to beat in this finale. A smart handicapper on the Flat for Ger Lyons, the seven-year-old has run well over hurdles since joining current connections. While he would ideally prefer more of a stamina test, the son of Gleneagles might just get away with it if they go a decent gallop. The Gordon Elliott-trained By Your Side would be a very appropriate winner for his young pilot. Successful over this trip at Tramore last time, the gelding is sure to have been lined up for this particular race. Winning hurdler Icare Desbois has yet to race on the Flat but, representing the Willie Mullins yard, he has to be a live hope.
Prediction : 1st Phoenix Cowboy 2nd By Your Side 3rd Icare Desbois